Anti-obesity potential of Moringa olifera seed extract and lycopene on high fat diet induced obesity in male Sprauge Dawely rats

Present research explored the anti-obesity effect of Moringa olifera seed oil extract and lycopene (LYC). Forty eight male Sprauge Dawely rats were divided equally into 6 groups. Group Ι (C) served as control, group ΙΙ (MC) was given Moringa olifera seed oil extract (800 mg/kg b.wt) for 8 weeks, group ΙΙΙ (LC) was given (20 mg/kg b.wt) LYC for 8 weeks, group ΙV (O) received high fat diet (HFD) for 20 weeks, group Ѵ (MO), was given HFD for 20 weeks and received (800 mg/kg b.wt) Moringa olifera seed oil extract for last 8 weeks and group ѴΙ (LO), received HFD for 20 weeks and was given (20 mg/kg b.wt) LYC for last 8 weeks. Hematology, lipid peroxidation and antioxidants, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), glucose, lipid profile, serum liver and kidney biomarkers, inflammatory markers, leptin, resistin and heart fatty acid binding protein (HFABP) were determined. Also histopathology for liver, kidney and aorta were performed besides immunohistochemistry (IHC) for aortic inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Administration of Moringa olifera seed oil extract and LYC significantly ameliorated the HFD induced hematological and metabolic perturbations as well as reduced leptin and resistin. Both treatments exerted these effects through promotion of antioxidant enzymes and reducing lipid peroxidation as well as inflammatory cytokines along with reduced iNOS protein expression. Administration of Moringa olifera seed oil extract and LYC have anti-obesity potential in HFD induced obesity in male Sprauge Dawely rats.     

Endophytes Aspergillus caespitosus LK12 and Phoma sp. LK13 of Moringa peregrina produce gibberellins and improve rice plant growth

Two new strains of endophytic fungi were isolated from the bark of Moringa peregrina and identified as Aspergillus caespitosus LK12 and Phoma sp. LK13. These endophytes were identified through amplifying polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing the 18S internal transcribed spacer of DNA extracted from both endophytes. Pure cultures of endophytic fungi were subjected to extract and isolate gibberellins (GAs). Deuterated standards of [17,17-²H₂]-GA₁, [17,17-²H₂]-GA₃, [17, 17-²H₂]-GA₄ and [17, 17-²H₂]-GA₇ were used to quantify the endophytic fungal GAs. The analysis revealed that both the endophytes are producing bioactive GAs in various quantities (ng mL^?1). A. caespitosus LK12 was producing GA₁ (54.51 ± 1.23), GA₄ (26.5 ± 0.65), and GA₇ (2.87 ± 1.23) while Phoma sp. LK13 was secreting GA₁ (4.8 ± 0.12), GA₃ (8.65 ± 0.21), GA₄ (23.7 ± 0.98), and GA₇ (22.7 ± 0.73). The culture filtrate (CF) of A. caespitosus and Phoma sp. significantly increased the shoot length of GAs-deficient mutant waito-c and normal Dongjin-beyo rice seedlings as compared to control. Application of such growth-promoting and GAs-producing endophytes can ameliorate poorly growing crop plants.     

Feasibility of growing Moringa oleifera as a mix-crop along with tomato for control of Meloidogyne incognita and Rotylenchulus reniformis in Egypt

Impact of nematicidal potential of drumstick, Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae), as a medicinal plant (1–4 plants per pot) is obtained when it is used as a mix-crop along with tomato cv. Super Strain B against Meloidogyne incognita and Rotylenchulus reniformis was evaluated under a greenhouse conditions (30?±?5?°C) at the National Research Centre, Egypt. The nematodes final population and their rate of build-up as well as the root gall index were significantly affected by the number of moringa plants when grown with tomato together. There was a negative correlation between the number of moringa seedlings and the final population of both nematodes. The lowest nematode final population and rate of build-up were determined at the highest number of moringa plants (four plants per pot). The highest number of root gall index (4.1) was found on roots of tomato grown alone, while, the lowest one (0.6) was found on roots of tomato grown with four plants of moringa. This type of control is considered easy, inexpensive and pollution-free.     

Biosorption of trivalent and hexavalent chromium from aqueous systems using shelled Moringa oleifera seeds

Abstract

The present study explores the sorption properties of shelled Moringa oleifera seeds (SMOS) for removal of two environmentally important oxidation states of chromium (trivalent and hexavalent) from an aqueous system on the laboratory scale. Sorption studies reveal the optimum conditions for the removal of 81.02%; Cr (III) and 88.15% Cr (VI) as follows: biomass dosage (4.0 g), metal concentration [25mg/L for Cr (III); 50mg/L for Cr (VI)], contact time (40 minutes) at pH 6.5 and 2.5 respectively. The adsorption data were found to fit well both the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms. Characterization of the seed powder by FTIR showed the clear presence of amino acid moieties having both positively charged amino and negatively charged carboxylic groups and confirmed that biosorption involves amino acid-chromium interactions. SEM studies of native and exhausted [Cr(III) and Cr(VI)] treated SMOS revealed large spherical clusters having a pore area of 8.66 µm² in the case of native SMOS while dense agglomerated etched dendrite type morphology have a pore area of 0.80 µm² in Cr (III) and 0.78 µm² in Cr (VI) treated SMOS The spent biosorbent was regenerated and found to be effectively reusable for four cycles.     

不同栽培密度对辣木人工林分枝格局及生物量的影响

为了探讨干热河谷盆地辣木种植密度与分枝格局和生物量的关系及较为合理的种植密度,通过野外实地调查和数据分析对该地区不同栽培密度辣木人工林分枝格局及生物量进行研究,结果表明:辣木林分在株高、地径、冠幅以及分枝数量方面与栽培密度呈现显著负相关;不同密度下,根、茎、叶生物量及果荚数和果荚均长、直径和果荚均仔粒数之间都存在显著的差异性;栽培密度对辣木的分枝格局有较显著影响,主要表现在一级/二级分枝率、二级/三级分枝率以及三级分枝长度上有显著差异;辣木在不同方位上分枝格局有明显差异,主要体现在主、侧枝分枝长度和一级分枝角度上的差异显著;在本试验范围内,以叶用辣木为培育目标的较适宜的栽培密度为株行距0.9m×0.9m,以果用为栽培目标的较适宜的栽培密度为株行距1.5m×1.5m。在不同的栽培密度下,辣木人工林之间分枝格局及生物量的显著性差异,反映了辣木随环境的变化具有较高的形态可塑性和生态适应性。     

Effect of lectins from Opuntia ficus indica cladodes and Moringa oleifera seeds on survival of Nasutitermes corniger

Biodegradation by termites is a serious problem for wood and crop industries worldwide, and new environmentally friendly alternatives for termite control have been developed. This work investigated the effects of crude and purified preparations containing lectins from Opuntia ficus indica cladodes (OfiL) and Moringa oleifera seeds (WSMoL and cMoL) on Nasutitermes corniger workers and soldiers. Purified OfiL was more active than cladode extracts, showing a stronger termiticidal activity against workers (LC₅₀ of 0.116 mg ml⁻¹) than against soldiers. OfiL was active against soldiers only at 1.5 mg ml⁻¹. All preparations containing WSMoL and cMoL were active only at concentrations of 1.0 and 1.5 mg ml⁻¹. The tested preparations did not exert repellent activity against N. corniger. OfiL was able to kill workers and therefore is potentially a new tool for N. corniger control; as a consequence, this lectin could disturb organization, structure, and maintenance of termite colonies.     

Effect of Compounds from Moringa oleifera Lam. on in Vitro Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Model System

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently the most common chronic liver disease in the world, with a prevalence of 25 % in many countries. To date, no drug has been approved to treat NAFLD, therefore, the use of phytochemicals to prevent this disease is meaningful. In this study, we focused on the effects of Moringa oleifera Lam. on diabetes, attempted to isolate compounds that regulate NAFLD. Compounds 1 and 2 were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of M. oleifera. Spectral data revealed that they were 1-hydroxy-3-phenylpropan-2-yl benzoate ( 1 ) and benzyl benzylcarbamate ( 2 ), respectively. The three-dimensional structure of compound 1 was determined by single crystal X-ray structural analysis. Neither compound was toxic to HepG2 cells, and compound 1 was found to have a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on intracellular lipid accumulation induced by stimulation of linoleic acid (LA). As a result of measuring the effects of compound 1 on the intracellular lipid production-related protein, it was found that compound 1 enhanced protein expression that promotes lipolysis. On the other hand, since the action of compound 1 was similar to that of PPARα agonists, it is deduced that compound 1 enhanced the activity of PPARα and further enhanced the expression of lipolytic proteins, which is related to the suppression of intracellular lipid accumulation. Furthermore, as the result of docking simulation, compound 1 had a higher binding affinity to the ligand binding site of PPARα than fenofibrate, which is a PPARα agonist, and thus compound 1 was considered to be promising as an agonist of PPARα.     

Natural catalyst for luminol chemiluminescence: application to validate peroxide levels in commercial hair dyes

Here, we report a hydrothermally treated green leaves (Moringa oleifera) extract exploited as an efficient and highly sensitive catalyst to catalyze the chemiluminescence (CL) reaction of luminol. In the absence of enhancer, this green and hydrothermally treated catalyst was found to significantly enhance the CL intensity ~3.5-fold compared with the traditionally used K₃Fe(CN)₆ catalyst. The structure and surface morphology of the catalyst was elucidated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. The synergistic effect of the catalyst in the CL reaction was systematically investigated in the presence of hydrogen peroxide using ultraviolet–visible and CL spectroscopy. Studies showed that the sensitivity of the catalyst could be amplified by adjusting several parameters such as pH of the medium and concentrations of the base and luminol. The sensitivity of the novel-type catalyst was examined through the validation of hydrogen peroxide levels in commercial hair dye samples. Markedly, the catalyst displayed ultrasensitivity to hydrogen peroxide as the limit of detection of hydrogen peroxide using this catalyst was determined to be 0.02 μM under optimized conditions. In general, the proposed inexpensive, ecofriendly, and nontoxic catalyst could enable the determination of hydrogen peroxide for diverse analytical applications.     

Effects of the inclusion of Moringa oleifera seed on rumen fermentation and methane production in a beef cattle diet using the rumen simulation technique (Rusitec)

Moringa oleifera seeds are currently being used as a livestock feed across tropical regions of the world due to its availability and palatability. However, limited knowledge exists on the effects of the raw seeds on ruminant metabolism. As such, the rumen stimulation technique was used to evaluate the effects of substituting increasing concentrations of ground Moringa seeds (0, 100, 200 and 400 g/kg concentrate dry matter (DM)) in the diet on rumen fermentation and methane production. Two identical, Rusitec apparatuses, each with eight fermenters were used with the first 8 days used for adaptation and days 9 to 16 used for measurements. Fermenters were fed a total mixed ration with Urochloa brizantha as the forage. Disappearance of DM, CP, NDF and ADF linearly decreased (P<0.01) with increasing concentrations of Moringa seeds in the diet. Total volatile fatty acid production and the acetate to propionate ratio were also linearly decreased (P<0.01). However, only the 400 g/kg (concentrate DM basis) treatment differed (P<0.01) from the control. Methane production (%), total microbial incorporation of ¹⁵N and total production of microbial N linearly decreased (P<0.01) as the inclusion of Moringa seeds increased. Though the inclusion of Moringa seeds in the diet decreased CH₄ production, this arose from an unfavourable decrease in diet digestibility and rumen fermentation parameters.     

Structural investigation of a heteropolysaccharide isolated from the pods (fruits) of Moringa oleifera (Sajina)

A water-soluble polysaccharide was isolated from the aqueous extract of pods of Moringa oleifera. The polysaccharide contains d-galactose, 6-O-Me-D-galactose, D-galacturonic acid, l-arabinose, and l-rhamnose in a molar ratio of 1:1:1:1:1. On the basis of total hydrolysis, methylation analysis, periodate oxidation, and NMR ((1)H, (13)C, TOCSY, DQF-COSY, NOESY, ROESY, HSQC, and HMBC) studies, the repeating unit of the polysaccharide is established as [structure: see text].